Teacher shortage at MntwanuNgamizizwe High School sparks student protests

With examinations fast approaching in the next two to three weeks, learners from MntwanuNgamizizwe High School in Ugu District have taken to the streets to stage a protest with the hope of imploring the Department of Education to allocate teachers to their institution.

The learners' growing frustration stems from the scarcity of qualified educators in essential subjects like mathematics and physical science.

The school's teacher shortage situation has worsened in 2026.

The Daily News has been informed by well placed sources that the Department of Education was expected to post six teachers at the facility, but only four were currently on duty to serve grades 8 through 12.

The urgency of the situation was compounded by the recent retirement approvals of two of the school's teachers, including Principal Jabulani Zamisa, which is set to worsen the learning environment for the school's nearly 200 pupil's.

Sifundo Ngwane, a local ward councillor, said he was concerned that soon there would be only two teachers who would be reporting for duty.

“This means they will have to cover a wide range of subjects, often leading to a compromised education for our younger grades,” Ngwane explained.

The ramifications of such shortages threaten not just the current cohort but also the future academic landscape of the school.

MntwanuNgamizizwe's track record in previous years has been commendable, boasting 100% pass rates in 2022 and 2023.

Based on the school's previous successes, parents and pupils are concerned about the future. 

The School Governing Body (SGB) took the proactive step of exploring the potential of hiring part-time teachers during a recent meeting with parents.

They resolved that parents could contribute financially, possibly on a monthly basis, for the employment of additional teachers. However, there was divided opinions on the matter, with some parents opposed to the idea.

Ntombifuthi Mkhabela, a parent of a Grade 12 learner, voiced her frustrations, stating, “We cannot afford to pay 10,000 Rand per teacher monthly, and when you aggregate this amount, it reaches staggering sums that are beyond our means. It’s just not feasible for many families.”

As discussions between the SGB and the Department of Education continue, parents are ina  pensive mood waiting for a resolution.

Despite alerting local education officials about the school’s ongoing challenges, Ngwane remarked that there has been little tangible progress, stating, “We’re not just sitting idle.

"We have tried to engage with those responsible for our education, yet we see little change.”

The Department of Education’s spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, did not respond to the questions sent to him by this publication.

DAILY NEWS